The average electricity consumption in India is still among the lowest in the world at just 630 kWh per person per year, but this is expected to grow to 1000 kWh in the near future. According to Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the peak electricity demand in 2008 was 120 GW of power, while only 98 GW could be supplied. According to an analysis by the Indian PV project developer Astonfield, this deficit is likely to grow to 25 GW by 2012. The Ministry of Power has set an agenda of providing “Power to All” by 2012.

India plans to bridge the peak deficit using a number of avenues. Many of them rely on increasing the fossil fuel footprint and hence indeed increase our reliance and dependence on these fossil fuels. At the same time, the government also making serious efforts to accumulate the growth of renewable’s contribution to power.

Some of the highlights of the current power production status in India:

India’s current installed capacity (end of 2010): 1,70,229 MW, from all sources

Power generation capacity is mainly based on thermal and hydro, with about 11% from renewable energy.

In 2010, peak power shortage was 12 %.

Electricity demand is expected to rise by 7.4% a year during the next quarter of a century. This will see generation capacity increase five-fold in India is to supply this growing demand.

Status of Indian Renewable Power Generation

Total Installed Capacity of Renewable Power Sources

As of Feb 2011, India has over 18.3 GW of installed renewable energy capacity. Wind represents about 13 GW, small hydro represents 2.8 GW, and the majority of the remainder is from biomass installations.